'Social Determinants' Could Be Work Comp's Next Frontier

Whether someone is feeling lonely or doesn't have access to healthy food are just two components of the "social determinants of health," a concept that could generate more discussion in workers’ comp this year. And while work comp payers aren’t required to pay attention to social determinants of health, doing so can improve outcomes and reduce costs, according to Kimberly George, senior vice president of corporate development at Sedgwick Claims Management Services. “You can ignore them and just have infections, and people miss(ing) doctor appointments, etc...